Happy Homemaker Monday June 30 2014

Good afternoon! Yes, I am running a bit late. I had a physical this morning and a bookkeeping job to complete. But now, time for some fun! See Sandra at Diary of a Stay-at-Home Mom for more Happy Homemaker Monday!

As I Look Outside My Window
It was really comfortable outside this morning, but my son just came in and told me it is hot now. I am sitting comfortably in my air conditioned kitchen, so I wouldn't know otherwise! It cannot be too hot, however, because our one window air conditioner is able to handle the job.

Right Now I Am
Sucking on sour candy to get my salivary glands working because they are swollen. This first happened to me a couple of years ago, and I went to the ER because I thought I was having an allergic reaction. But lately it has started swelling almost whenever I eat. My doctor said it could be because I had dental work recently and some particles could have gotten into the gland and clogged it, so I have to eat sour things to get the glands working and hope that it cleans itself out. Joy.

Thinking and Pondering
How many stinking medical problems I have, but I will not go into it here. People have gone through much worse.

On My Bedside Table
My Kindle and a library book! It's summer, time for the library! I just finished Catherine Cookson's The Glass Virgin. It was okay, but I wasn't enamored with it, so I don't think I will read anymore of her works right now. Next is either All Quiet on the Western Front, The Bell Jar, Angela's Ashes, or The Hare With Amber Eyes.

On My TV This Week
I just turned in my cable box, so no more of that! We have a Mohu Leaf antennae, but we really never watch tv. I would rather read!

Listening To
My son and his girlfriend talking in the living room. No, I am not eavesdropping, lol!

On the Menu For This Week
You can find my menu here, but I have not updated it. Two of my kids are working at a boy scout camp and are only home on Saturdays for dinner. My oldest isn't around for dinner often, and my daughter has numerous graduation parties and get togethers, so she is often gone too. I am trying to eat healthier so I plan on making a lot of salads and throwing something on the grill. I can throw a baked potato in the microwave for my husband.

On My To Do List
I housed some girls at church for a special activity so I gave my house a good cleaning last week! Now it is just the usual to maintain it: dusting, vacuuming, bathrooms. Hoping to clean a few windows too, and I still need to go through closets and cabinets and purge, purge, purge!

Happening This Week
It is a bit slower now that school is out, thank goodness, we need the break!
Monday - physical - done
Tuesday - call ear, nose, and throat doctor and rheumatologist for appointments
Wednesday - take son to doctor for physical
Thursday - nothing!
Friday - nothing!
Saturday - dinner out with family to celebrate my 50th birthday!
Sunday - church

What I Am Creating
a mess!

My Simple Pleasure
A good laugh

Homemaking Tips
I've got nothing today.

Looking Around the House
It is amazing how quickly stuff accumulates! The island and table in the kitchen need attention.

From the Camera
My wonderful neighbor got this shot of my daughter.

Prayer List

My kids, in-laws, and me.

Bible Verse

I love the writings of John. John 7:17:

"If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."

I love this principle, because I know that it is true. When we keep His commandments, we will know that it is the right thing to do, but often the Lord expects us to try it first before we receive a witness. Acting first is putting our faith into action.

Have a great week!

Happy Homemaker Monday June 16 2014

Good morning! Hope you all enjoyed your Father's Day, however you spent it. We had a delicious dinner out with my father and mother in-law, gave my husband a homemade card, and that's about it! It was an enjoyable day spent with my family.

Thank you, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for hosting Happy Homemaker Monday! Let's get to it.

As I Look Outside My Window
Oh, it is a beautiful day! Can all of the summer be like this please? The sun is shining, the sky is blue, the air is cool and crisp, and the days are warm. After a week of rain we are being rewarded.

Right Now I Am
Kicking myself because my daughter just left for school and I forgot to tell her to take my car. Oh well, I had wanted to take her car for an oil change and cleaning and then for my HUGE grocery run, but instead I will take my van. At least it needs all of those things too. Cannot wait to get the pollen out of the cars!

Thinking and Pondering
Last time I posted I was worried about my washing machine. That is fixed but now my dishwasher is doing the same. This time we may just buy another one. We have had this one for 15 years and it is wearing out. My husband wants us to buy cheap for now, and really I do not need a lot of bells and whistles, I only use one setting as it is, but it can be hard when you see all that is available! The good thing about the dishwasher is that if it breaks before we replace it, it is not a big deal to wash everything by hand. My mom always washes her dishes by hand and then uses her dishwasher as a drying rack. Now that's an idea!

On My Bedside Table
I started reading the Harry Potter series again because it isn't summer without Harry Potter.

On My TV
Finally saw Mean Girls after hearing about it from my kids for so long.

Listening to
Just the sounds of the appliances. All have left for school or work except my oldest who is still sleeping.

On the Menu for This Week
You can find my menu here. Lots of grilling this week!

On My To Do List
Today I have to finish up a bookkeeping job, get an oil change/car cleaning, the bank, a major grocery run, one load of laundry to fold and put away, and another load to do start to finish.

Happening This Week
This is the last week of school for us, which means finals are this week, which means short days and lots of driving because one of my kids doesn't have to be there for every final. It is also a week of errands because two boys are working at scout camp all summer and that starts this Sunday. It is also a week of getting their room really, really clean. Fortunately all of the after school events are done, and the latest they will be home is 11:30. Friday is my daughter's graduation, Saturday is our neighbor's graduation party, Sunday is rest and relaxation, because next Monday we are off to Cambridge for my daughter's college orientation. We go for the day but she gets to stay over. We haven't worked out if we are going to stay up there or come home and go back to get her the next day (5 hours round trip).

My Simple Pleasure
Going to the library, which I only do during the summer. I love my Kindle and the ease of carrying it around, but going to the library is like going to the bookstore, only you don't have to pay for the books! Cannot wait to go!

Homemaking Tips
I have shared this before, but not recently. For cleaning up stains on the carpet I use seltzer water, white rags, and a little elbow grease. The bubbles help raise the stain, and it is only water so there is no residual chemicals that attract dirt and form a new stain 6 months later like everything else I have tried. It works wonderfully.

Looking Around the House
There is cleaning to be done but it can be done in stages. There is always stuff to put away, which I will work on today. Today groceries are a priority because we are out of a lot of things. Tomorrow I will tackle the bathrooms and the rest of the week I will continue tackling a major purge of stuff, one closet/cabinet at a time, plus a major vacuum of the boys' room after they have dealt with all of their stuff.

From the Camera
What my husband misses most from when our kids were little.

My Prayer List
My kids, mom, and in-laws.

Bible Verse
Matthew 6:33: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

It is so easy to forget God when we get busy, and I have been guilty of that many times. However, I know that when I begin to neglect Him and my spirit, I will find myself in a place I do not want to be and wondering how did I get here? So, I am making a concerted effort to do exactly what the Lord tells us to do in Matthew 6:33: put Him first!

Have a great week!

June's Monthly Menu

16 Mon     American goulash, salad, bread
17 Tue      grilled Italian chicken, zucchini, rice, spinach salad
18 Wed     kielbasi, coleslaw, homefries, corn
19 Thu      grilled pork tenderloin, macaroni salad, green beans
20  Fri      daughter's graduation = dinner out!
21 Sat       friend's graduation party bring fruit salad & cheesecake
22 Sun      boys leave for camp   omelets, sausage

Happy Homemaker Monday June 2 2014

Good morning! It is a beautiful spring day and life has been busy! The last two months of school can get crazy, especially for seniors. It is a year of firsts and lasts for my high school senior. Lots has been happening and it's all good. Thanks to Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for hosting Happy Homemaker Monday!

As I Look Outside My Window

I see color! I am always at my kitchen table when on my laptop, and right next to me is our sliding glass door that leads to our deck. Beyond the deck it is full of green leaves with little bits of blue sky peaking through the gaps. Through the front windows I can see the leaves of the daylillies along our rock wall and our front garden and the pink blossoms on the azalea bushes. Oh, how I love to see color when I look outside!

Right Now I Am

Watching a butterfly flit around the deck as I sit at the table. 

Thinking and Pondering

How I am going to manage everything this week. My washing machine is broken, it looks like it is the water pump and I have to wait until Wednesday morning for a repair man. We have a crazy, busy schedule this week on top of that.

On My Bedside Table

I have restarted Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings on my Kindle. I started it the first time last summer but never finished it. 

On My TV This Week

We finished Madmen's last season and I've caught up on Parenthood. Just have Glee to catch up on now. And I've had a hankering for Harry Potter because the books and movies have always been a part of our summer. I have the set on my Kindle so perhaps I should read them first. I do love J K Rowling's writing.

Listening to

Just the sound of the freezer running right now.

On the Menu For This Week

I never followed May's plan and will probably be using some of those menu items for this week. You can find May's menu here.

On My To Do List

Well, it won't be laundry! Actually, I hope to wash the shelves in my fridge because it is pretty empty right now and a good time to do it. Then, of course, I need to get to the store to put some food back on those shelves!

Happening This Week

This afternoon one son is participating in the state track meet because his relay team won gold at our local league championships last week, so my mother and I will be going to that (just to see the one race, otherwise we would be there all day). Tomorrow night is fine arts night at the school where one of my other sons is playing in the band and my daughter is singing in the chamber choir. Wednesday hopefully my washer will get fixed but I am anticipating a part will need to be ordered... at night is youth group at church but I think my daughter can drive everyone to that. Thursday I have the rest of a root canal (joy!). Friday is a phone meeting with DCF (I have a foster son). Saturday two sons have to be driven almost an hour away to the scout camp they will be working at this summer, dropped off and then picked up (3 hours of driving?). Sunday is seminary graduation for 3 of my students, including my daughter. Plus my nephew and his wife and ADORABLE 5 month daughter are visiting so I MUST make time to visit them some more. (We spend yesterday at my sister's house for a big family picnic which was wonderful.)

My Simple Pleasure

Kissing the top of the head of a sweet, sweet baby.

Homemaking Tips

Here is my quick and efficient (imo) method to cleaning bathrooms:

• shake out rugs (right in the bathroom, it's too long of a walk to go outside)
• vacuum floor
• take garbage pail liner out, hang on door (if you use plastic grocery bags like me)
• use microfiber cloth to dust off items on vanity, pile in garbage pail, place right outside bathroom door
• use disposable duster (like swiffer) to dust lights, mirror, countertops, hanging pictures, window sill, then sink, then toilet)
• clean inside toilet bowl
• fill sink with warm water, sprinkle in a little Borax, swish water to dissolve
• wipe sink, countertop, faucet with microfiber cloth dipped in water from sink, door and cabinet handles, light switches, then toilet
• drain sink and swish some water around to rinse
• dry sink with hand towel then use damp hand towel to wipe any spots off of mirror and to buff faucet
• quick second vacuum of floor
• mop floor
• done!
• (I clean my shower with a magic eraser while I am in there. If I am really good I will do one wall a day. Once in awhile I will spray the walls and door area with bleach gel right before getting out and let it sit.)

Looking Around the House

There are some papers to put away, but I managed to give the main floor a good vacuuming Saturday so it is looking pretty good.

From the Camera

My daughter's last dance recital. I loved watching her perform because she has great stage presence (and received special recognition for that too). 

Prayer List
My kids.

Bible Verse
John 14:15  "If ye love me, keep my commandments." It's as simple as that!

Have a great week!

A Cold, Rainy Spring Day =

Happy Homemaker Monday May 19 2014

I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom once again for Happy Homemaker Monday. I am grateful to have seen her post on Facebook or else I would have forgotten all about it. I took my daughter to the doctor for a physical - she is 17 and going to college in the fall so we decided it was time switch from her pediatrician (although we loved her) to a general practitioner. Just another step to adulthood. Sigh.

As I Look Outside My Window
It is a beautiful, sunny day. Right now the temperature is only 59 degrees, but it is supposed to rise another 10. This week temps should be in the upper 60's and lower 70's which is perfect for me. Some rain showers in the evenings which is not perfect for my plans to grill this week, grr. But, the leaves are on the trees and are a beautiful green, so life is good.

Right Now I Am
Listening to my son snoring on the couch. He is in limbo right now because they closed the office where he worked and he hasn't found anything else yet. I am waiting to say goodbye to my husband who is off to Chicago for work this week, and I can see a very messy house due to a very busy weekend.

Thinking and Pondering
That I am grateful for my daughter. She is an amazing young woman - so sure of herself, a hard worker, well rounded, healthy individual. We are celebrating a lot of lasts and firsts with her this year as she graduates high school and prepares to go off to college. She had her last dance recital yesterday and was a joy to watch. She is not my oldest but will be the first to leave the nest. It is bittersweet.

On My Bedside Table
My kindles and Verizon tablet (gift from my son). I am reading The Girl Who Fell from the Sky by Heidi W Durrow.

On My TV This Week
Right now we are just watching Madmen. I only continue to watch it because I am invested in the characters, but I only care what happens to the women.

Listening to
No music at the moment. I can hear my husband moving around upstairs as he packs for his trip. My son woke up and left to get the oil changed in the car, so no more snoring!

On the Menu
Sigh, I try, I really do, but everyone's schedules make it really hard. Since my husband will be away, I will try to make it simpler and continue to use as much of what I have on hand as possible. I want to whittle away my freezer stock so I can clean them out and start fresh. So I am not going to post a menu since it will be a little of this and a little of that and no new recipes.

On My To Do List
Pick up around the house, go to the bank and the gas station, wash towels. I am still working on spring cleaning the upstairs, which constitutes going through drawers and closets to weed things out. This year I am being smart by starting up there because once summer comes it is too warm.

Happening This Week
My daughter rattled off a lot of stuff yesterday and now I cannot remember! One son has track every day after school, so that is a given. He usually gets a ride home; if not, I have to pick him up at the middle school. My daughter works right after school at a daycare, but since she is driving she usually gives my other son a ride home. Anyway, the rest of the week looks like this (from what I remember):
Tuesday - National Honor Society Induction Ceremony for my daughter
Wednesday - Youth Group for three of my kids
Thursday - Boy Scouts, husband comes home
Friday - Senior prom for my daughter!

My Simple Pleasure
Having the island in my kitchen clear so I can fold laundry on it.

Homemaking Tips
This is more a lifestyle tip than homemaking. Learn to say no. When your kids get involved with school and extra curricular activities, will you see a lot of supermoms who seem to do it all. Maybe they do, but know your limits and don't feel guilty. Yes, help where you can, but know yourself well enough to know when to draw the line.

Looking Around the House
Time for a ten second tidy!

From the Camera
There has been so much activity, it will take me a few weeks to catch up. Our church holds its own prom for the high school aged youth and my kids invited a lot of their friends to come. This is my favorite picture - capturing the selfies.

Prayer List

My kids, my husband as he travels.

Bible Verse

Proverbs 15:13  "A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken."  We had a talk in church yesterday about finding happiness in life, and it occurred to me that we really can find happiness all of the time if we do these two things: recognize the Lord's hand in our lives in all things and express gratitude, and live so that we may have the Spirit with us. So I am going to work on those two things.

Have a wonderful week!

Happy Homemaker Monday May 12 2014

Good morning! I missed last week and I don't know why. Spring has finally arrived in New England and my sneezing son is proof. We have to take the bad with the good, don't we? Thank you Sandra from Diary of a Stay At Home Mom for hosting!

As I Look Outside My Window
The sun is shining! We had a lot of rain last week and now the grass is green and lush and the flowers are blooming (and, yes, there is pollen everywhere).

Right Now I Am
Sitting at my kitchen table. There is a box of Dunkin Donuts munchkins on the table, along with my two Kindles and my new tablet that my son gave me for Mother's Day. I am fooling around with the tablet now, downloading apps that I want, and it may replace my Kindle Fire. We will see, I am very partial to Amazon.

Thinking and Pondering
Nothing deep, I am watching the clock because I have to pick up my son from school. He took an AP test this morning and gets to go home early. Trouble is, he needs a ride. However, my oldest is home, so I may just not have to drive to the school for a second time this morning!

On My Bedside Table
I have been working on cleaning my room, and yes, it is a week long project because it is the catchall room of the house. There still is a plastic bin full of my son's childhood books that he wants to keep. It has been there for a year. Anyway, my nightstand now has only the essentials: my lamp, my cell phone, my two Kindles, and now my tablet. Right now I am reading I Am Livia, by Phyllis T. Smith. It was a free book offered to Amazon Prime members. Oh, and I bought a Kindle Paperwhite. The one problem with the Kindle Fire is that the battery doesn't last long. Plus I have so many other things on there that I get distracted from reading a book. So now the Paperwhite is my reader of choice. Plus the screen is easier on the eyes.

On My TV
Still have to catch up on Parenthood and Glee. My husband and I started watching last season's Madmen on Netflix.

Listening To
Nothing at the moment.

On the Menu
My menu can be found here. I am a week behind because my husband was travelling last week and so I kept dinner simple and used what I had in the freezer. Love that I have all of these days planned and I all I have to do is make up a grocery list! Most, if not all, of my menu comes from a cookbook I have called Remedies for the "I Don't Cook" Syndrome. The recipes I have tried are really good, so I decided to try more of them! I will post the ones that I want to use regularly.

On My To Do List
Laundry, as always, vacuum main floor, mop, clean main floor bathroom. Stop at grocery store for lunchmeat.

Happening This Week
This week is relatively calm. Grease is over (3 of my kids performed in it).
Monday - lunch with my oldest. He is taking me to Moe's because I have never been.
Tuesday - other son's track meet
Wednesday - DCF visit, church youth group, daughter has dress rehearsal for her dance recital but she drives herself.
Thursday - Boy Scouts for sons, dance for daughter, nephew's band concert for my husband and I.
Friday - open!
Saturday - lunch with my mom and sister at The Cheesecake Factory
Sunday - my daughter's dance recital. Her last one! 14 years of dance. This year she is featured in 6 dances.

My Simple Pleasure
Milkshakes.  I have a Ninja blender and we go a little crazy with the milkshakes once it gets warm.

Homemaking Tips
Bag it. I love bags as much as I love Amazon. I have a tote bag for my seminary stuff. I have a bag for library books. Everything that I may want to take somewhere, I try to store in bags, that way it is ready to go.

Looking Around the House
There is always stuff lying around. It is amazing how much better that problem can be with just one less person in the house too. When my husband was away the counters stayed clear, and he is not a messy person!

From the Camera
(and mom's brag book) from Grease, they played Johnny Casino, Sandy, and Kenickie

Prayer List
Always my kids, my husband.

Bible Verse
"I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine." John 10:11

It never ceases to amaze me how well the Lord knows me individually. I need to remember that when I am feeling alone or overwhelmed with burdens. He knows me and knows how to help me, all I have to do is ask, and then listen.

Have a great week!